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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Melinda say was Carpenter's diagnosis of Vic?

2. What does Vic know Melinda will do the night he tells her he knows Carpenter is a detective?

3. Why does Mary Meller agree to come to Vic's and Melinda's dinner party in Part III?

4. In Part III, who is the new person Melinda introduces Vic to?

5. Who does Vic begin to understand is paying Carpenter's salary?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does Don Wilson move out of town?

2. What does Vic decide to do for Trixie in Part IV that Melinda objects to?

3. What does Cameron play that grates on Vic's nerves in Part IV?

4. Who accuses Vic of killing De Lisle, and why?

5. What does Vic never feel after killing De Lisle?

6. What inspires Brian's new poem?

7. What does Horace tell Vic about Melinda's persistent claims that he is a murderer?

8. What does Melinda do in Part III in order to hurt Vic?

9. How do Vic's and Melinda's friends react to Melinda's behavior after De Lisle's death?

10. What does Brian Ryder do while a guest in Vic's home that upsets Vic?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

When does Vic decide to kill Cameron, and how does he plan to get away with murder again? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 2

How does Highsmith describe the general social atmosphere of the Van Allens' town, Little Wesley? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

How does Highsmith describe Vic's state of mind before, during, and after De Lisle's murder? Write an essay explaining your answers, citing specific references to the text to help support your conclusions.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 513 words (approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample